User:The Cake 2/sandbox

Early life
Sidarous was born in Naghamish (el-Kosheh) which is part of the El-Balyana region, Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. His year of birth is estimated to be 1875 (births were not registered in rural areas at the time). His parents were pious Coptic Christians and they sent him to the church kottab to receive his primary education. There, he quickly became attached to learning the Psalms, hymns and other church subjects. He was described as loving solitude and contemplation. At the age of 19, he took permission from his parents to enter the Monastery of Saint Anthony.

Contrary to Coptic Orthodox customs, he did not change his name when he took his monastic vows. Sidarous became reputed among his fellow monks as being a humble and spiritual man. He was ordained presbyter and then archpriest (known as hegumen in the Coptic tradition). He enrolled himself into the theological school that was founded by Pope Kyrillos V in the monastery. Father Sidarous spend a total of 7 years in the monastery of St Anthony.

In Jerusalem
During this period, the monks of the monastery of St Anthony were responsible to supply clergy for the holy land. It was said that this tradition went back to the first Coptic metropolitan of Jerusalem who himself came from the monastery. The abbot therefore sent him to serve in the Church of Gethsemane. Fr Sidarous stayed there from 1903 until 1907, when he returned due to his deteriorating health.